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Residence permits in Leipzig: Ausländerbehörde, AKZESS and pickup

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This page only covers what is different in Leipzig. The rules, documents and deadlines are the same everywhere — see the national guide: Residence permit.

In shortLeipzig's Ausländerbehörde is in the Technisches Rathaus (Prager Straße 126–128), and visits need an appointment. Since 2013, non-EU researchers, employees, self-employed people and doctoral candidates have gone through a special process called AKZESS. After a positive decision you are invited by post to give biometrics, and you can collect your card from a 24/7 pickup station.
On this page
  1. Who handles it
  2. Skilled workers: the AKZESS process
  3. From application to card
  4. Free advice
  5. Leipzig at a glance

Who handles it

Leipzig's immigration authority is the Ausländerbehörde der Stadt Leipzig, part of the city's public order office (Ordnungsamt). It is in the Technisches Rathaus, Haus B, Prager Straße 126–128. Phone: 0341 123-3310. Visits are only possible with an appointment made in advance. The city's information hub for all residence topics is leipzig.de/aufenthalt.

Skilled workers: the AKZESS process

Since 2013, Leipzig has handled cases of non-EU scientists, employees, self-employed people and doctoral candidates in a special process called AKZESS (roughly: managing the immigration of foreign skilled workers efficiently and sensitively). For employment-related permits, including the Blue Card, the Chancenkarte and the ICT card, the city's page has an "Online beantragen" (apply online) button.

From application to card

Leipzig describes the steps like this:

  1. Review: the Ausländerbehörde checks your application and may ask for more documents.
  2. Decision: if approved, you first receive a written decision (Erteilungsbescheid).
  3. Biometrics invitation by post: a few days later, a letter invites you to an appointment for your photo, fingerprints and signature. You pay the fees there, and the card is ordered.
  4. Pickup: choose either
    • the 24/7 pickup station (Abholstation), which only needs your email address and a fingerprint to register, or
    • a pickup appointment, booked online with a code you receive.

Someone else can collect your documents with Leipzig's own power-of-attorney form, which must be presented in the original.

Free advice

  • Willkommenszentrum Leipzig (Otto-Schill-Straße 2): walk-in orientation advice for newcomers of any residence status, with free video interpreting, including English.
  • Centre for Immigration and Internationals: at the same address, several partners, including Saxony's migration information centre, advise newcomers and employers on residence, work and the recognition of foreign qualifications.

For the general process, see the national guide and the Blue Card guide.

Leipzig at a glance

Topic Leipzig
Authority Ausländerbehörde, Technisches Rathaus, Prager Straße 126–128
Visits Appointment only
Skilled workers AKZESS process since 2013; apply online
Biometrics Invitation by post after approval
Card pickup 24/7 pickup station or booked appointment

Official Leipzig sources

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